Ila Modena (Dena) Pruitt

Ila Modena (Dena) Pruitt, of Groesbeck, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on Friday, October 9, 2009, at age 87. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Monday, October 12, 2009, at Faulkenberry Cemetery, with Reverend Tracy Sims of the Ceentral Baptist Church of Thornton officiating. Dena was born January 1, 1922 to Grover William Koonce and Cora (Leverett) Koonce, at Lorenzo, Texas. She grew up and attended school at Lorenza, and moved to Groesbeck in 1946, where she resided the next 63 years. She married Marvin Pruitt on September 3, 1941. She started working as the Deputy Clerk in the Limestone County Clerk’s office in 1950, and was appointed as County Clerk in 1968, after the unfortunate death of Mr. John Kidd. Mrs. Pruitt was re-elected to the office as Limestone County Clerk until she retired in 1984. After retirement, Mrs. Pruitt stayed actively involved in politics and the Democratic Party. She served as election Judge through the mid-1990s. She also served as a “Pink Lady” volunteer at the hospital in Groesbeck. Dena was a member of the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck, and active in all church activities. She was an avid baseball fan, especially of the Texas Rangers. Mrs. Pruitt was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Marvin, who passed away in 1991. She is survived by Dorla Sims and husband, Dwight of Groesbeck; daughter, Vicki Andros of Tyler; daughter, Carlos Smith of Groesbeck; grandson Ricky Sims and wife JoAnn of Teague; grandson, Paul Cox and wife Glenda of Hurst; grandson, Pat Andros and wife, Melissa of Plano; granddaughter, Lissy Andros of Tyler; and granddaughter, Lede Salazar and husband John of Groesbeck; eight great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Hazel Herrington of Lorenzo and Tena Gray and husband Ed of Lorenzo; one brother, Ed Koonce and wife Mary of Lubbock; and six nieces. Donations may be made to Providence Hospice in Waco, in lieu of flowers.